I take 250mgs of tramadol everyday and sometimes I take viodin with it. It works pretty well. I havent needed the patches yet but I think I may need to get something stronger soon.

Jane, do you take lortab daily?

First... DO NOT tell the DR you've been upping your dosge by yourself!!! Self medicating can & will get you into trouble... especially if you go to a pain clinic! ( I learned this the hard way)
Second... The Fentanyl patches are for basic, long term pain relief which is why they're switched every couple of days. I use the Fent. patches and have to switch every 2 days.
Third... Yes, use the other pain med for your breakthrough pain. It'll be faster acting than the patches (because they are a continous release method of delivery).
I was on Oxycontin before the patches and had some ugly side effects, so when I was switched to the patches and Roxicontin (for breakthrough pain), I was relieved...it worked much nicer.

Don't worry Andie, I know how work the doc. I lower my dosage myself a couple months ago. Safe as far as he's concerned to up it again.

Makes sense Jane. I would be borrowing ahead at this stage in the game as bad as I feel.

Is it possible ot OD on sex??? Just curious

No dear one cannot OD on sex...

Do you get the MS contin from reg doc or Pain doc?

Whats the drug they are using now for energy? Like adarell but less potent. Its like provigil or soemthing???? Anybody???

Yes...it's called provigil...I just started taking it a few weeks ago and it has helped me SO MUCH in the energy department.

I need something for the break through too so you have given me some ideas.I take ms contin 30mg in morning and 15mg at night but need something sometimes around mid day. Can take a prn of 15mg once in a while but have to take it early or can't sleep thus i am buzzed.

I was on the fent patch for a year. What a pain that thing was. I had to wear one patch for 3 days, it never stayed on for more than a day and after that day the pain med didnt work for me. My rheumo switched me to Ms Contin. Ive been on it for just over a year. I also take neurontin, xanax, seroquil(for sleep) and percocet for pain.
Sometimes the percocet helps the flares, sometimes it doesnt. My Ms Contin was just upped. I don't have any side affects and it really is helping.

The dosage you are taking of Ultram (Tramadol) is tooo low! You need at least 100 mg. 4 X per day, (drop the nightime dose if it disrupts your sleep), Tramadol's half life (the time it takes to drop off from working) is only 2 hrs, so by 3-4 hrs. you have nothing. I take Lyrica 75, a.m., Ultram 100 mg. a.m., the Ultram mid morning, afternoon and bedtime, then Lyrica, Cymbalta 60 mg. and Trazadone 100 mg. at bedtime. I am doing the best is about 10 yrs!!If anyone lives near Nashville, there is a Dr. here who has tx. over 10,000 fibro pts. He KNOWS ITS REAL, UNDERSTANDS IT, and his patients reporting CURES!! If you're interested, let me know. P.S. I use Lortabs for breakthru. Love, Jackie

I forgot to say that, I also take Ritalin 10 mg., 3 x per day, and Provigil, 2 x per day. Provigil is great, but if you are prone to depression be careful, as I found it can send me into a depressive state because you stay awake and active TOO much. But, Provigil is great, but the Ritalin works better for me. Love, Jackie

DO NOT TELL DOC!!! This is the fastest way to get released from a pain contract. It is a shame that we can't be honest without fear of reprisal. Just tell them that they no longer work. Most doc's are ok with 2 vicodin/lortab per day for bt pain.